Gorillapod SLR or Velbon CX Mini for long exposures?

mastertrinity

mastertrinity

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Luke
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Hey all,

I purchased a heavy duty Camlink tripod last year at Focus On Imaging, it's the TPPRO28B and while it's a excellent tripod unfortunately it's impractical for when doing long exposures. It's not a stability issue it's the size and weight of the thing, at 75cm closed it has to be carried separate and I hate having to carry my tripod separate. I was wondering if a more compact tripod such as the Manfrotto 785B would be sufficient for long exposures (30 secs max, average of around 15 secs) because it seems like the best choice for portability.
 
Tripods are one of those things - more weight = greater stability - but then you have to lump them around.

If you go for something smaller and lighter - remember you can weight it down with a hanging hook on the bottom of the centre column.

It's an easy enough thing to adapt if it doesn't have a hook and if your out in the wilds - an empty tough bag (no weight to carry) can easily be used by sticking a rock in or if you've nothing to hand - hang your camera bag off it.
 
I have a 785 and I've tried it with my 5D and 24-105. It's a precarious affair. It's not too bad at less than full height, with the last set of skinny legs retracted and even better shorter. Let's say it's better than nothing.

The problem lies in the head. The friction is barely enough to keep an SLR fixed. It may be better with your smaller camera[?]. Also, the plate mechanism will not hold the camera in place securely. I can pull my 5D off without unlocking it. So don't even think of carrying the tripod with camera attached by the tripod legs. The head unit is fixed and cannot be replaced. I did take mine apart and added a square of plastic to make it grip tighter, which is much better now.

Again, as I said, it's better than nothing.
 
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The 785B is perfect for my G1, no problems with 30 second exposures, even in a stiff breeze, and it's great for traveling with. The A300 is a little larger, but would be fine unless you have some very heavy glass.

My 5dMkII + 24-105 was a different matter though....it does just about work, but you wouldn't want to let go of the strap, or use it in a breeze, and probably not with legs fully extended.

I'm on my second 785B, as I left mine in the UK when I came to HK...looked around for something similarly compact...but didn't find anything.
 
hmm I think I'm better off saving the cash and lugging around my big tripod, I feel better carrying something that will 100% get the job done compared to something that could be a 50% chance.
 
mastertrinity said:
Ok, Just out of curiosity, out of Gorillapod SLR or Velbon CX Mini which do you think would be better for long exposures?

At a guess I thought of the Velbon.
Click to expand...

I have both, tbh the velbon performs way better than i thought it would.Although i haven't tried it with anything heavier than an 18-55
 
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